REGION Snowfall shuts schools, leaves roads slippery

There were several accidents reported, but none was serious. Winter's first storm hit Sunday, dumping four to six inches of snow overnight, closing most schools in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys. Temperatures hovered in the high 20s and low 30s, making the snow the kind kids love -- the heavy packing kind needed for making snow men and snow balls. It's also the kind most sledders prefer. Early morning commuters found some roadways, especially side streets, difficult to travel. Commuters traveling state Route 11 said it was wet, U.S. Route 224 in Boardman was snow covered in most spots, and New Road in Austintown treacherous. The Ohio State Highway Patrol Canfield post and the Campbell and Struthers police departments reported no major accidents early this morning. The Mahoning County Sheriff's Department had seven one-car accidents Sunday and a two-car accident with minor injuries at Shields and Messerly roads. No accidents happened overnight, the sheriff's department said. The Youngstown Street Department has had 15 plows out since the snow started Sunday. The Mahoning County engineer's office could not be reached. Power: There were no major reports of downed power lines or tree limbs from the heavy snow. In Columbiana County, most schools are closed. Columbiana city police said some residents are without electricity due to a downed power line. Ohio State Highway Patrol Lisbon post reported numerous traffic accidents because of poor road conditions, but none serious. Leetonia residents on Summit, Chestnut, Walnut, Park and Elm streets and portions of Butcher road are without water and an order to boil drinking water is in effect due to a main waterline break on Summit Street early Sunday morning. In Mercer County, roads were snow-covered and slippery and Pennsylvania State Police reported several traffic accidents, none of which caused serious injury.